MODERN TIMES MODERNA VREMENA
documentary series
2023-2024
ABOUT
Castor Multimedia for Croatian Radiotelevision (HRT)
Supported by Croatian Audiovisual Centre (HAVC)
Traveling through the seventy-year history of Croatian design, the series aims to rediscover and celebrate innovative designs and artworks that have shaped our everyday lives.
CREW
CREATED BY: Matej Merlić, Dubravko Merlić
DIRECTOR: Tomislav Šoban
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY: Ante Cvitanović
EDITORS: Urša Vlahušić, Doris Dodig
documentary series
2022
ABOUT
Shortlisted for Best Documentary at Rose d'Or 2022
Castor Multimedia for Croatian Radiotelevision (HRT)
Supported by Croatian Audiovisual Centre (HAVC)
An intriguing history of Yugoslav nuclear program that proposed to build an atomic bomb and 16 nuclear facilities on Yugoslav soil. Only one project came to fruition, the nuclear power plant in Krsko, Slovenia.
CREW
CREATED BY: Dubravko Merlić
PRODUCER BY: Dubravko Merlić, Matej Merlić
DIRECTOR: Lana Kosovac
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY: Ante Cvitanović
EDITOR: Urša Vlahušić
PLOVOPIS - JUŽNI PUČINSKI OTOC
documentary series
2024
ABOUT
Castor Multimedia for Croatian Radiotelevision (HRT)
Supported by Croatian Audiovisual Centre (HAVC)
The documentary series “Plovopis – Southern offshore islands” spans four captivating episodes, chronicling Dubravko Merlić’s sailing journey to Croatia’s most remote islands: Svetac, Brusnik, Biševo, Jabuka, Sušac, and Palagruža. The series immerses viewers in the pristine beauty of untouched nature, rich historical layers, and the compelling human stories that have unfolded on these isolated lands.
CREW
PRODUCED BY: Matej Merlić, Dubravko Merlić
DIRECTOR AND ILLUSTRATOR: Tomislav Šoban
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY: Marinko Marinkić
EDITORS: Ivana Perčinlić, Danijel Brlas
documentary series
2019-2021
ABOUT
Two seasons from 2019 to 2021
Castor Multimedia for Croatian Radiolelevision (HRT)
Exploring Croatia’s demographics and economy, “Survival” captures emotional testimonies from depopulated towns amidst beautiful yet stark landscapes. The series delves into local challenges and examines Croatia’s economic decline and the varied experiences of doing business today.
CREW
CREATED BY: Dubravko Merlić
PRODUCED BY: Dubravko Merlić, Matej Merlić
DIRECTOR: Ivan Sikavica (S01), Igor Husak (S02)
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY: Ante Cvitanović
EDITOR: Ivor Šonje
ABOUT
Shown in competition of Palm Springs ShortFest 2021
Currently streaming on HBO Max
Produced by Castor Multimedia (HR), OriGine Films (FR)
Supported by Croatian Audiovisual Centre (HAVC),
City of Rijeka
Zrinka returns to her hometown for a few days to scout locations and stays with her mother, Tanja. Noticing Tanja’s strange behavior, Zrinka includes her in the location scouting to uncover what’s troubling her. In the end, Tanja’s emotional breakdown leads to a heartfelt reconciliation and a renewed bond between mother and daughter.
CREW
FEATURING: Olivera Baljak, Iva Šimić Šakoronja, Dean Krivačić
WRITTEN AND DIRECTED BY: Sanja Milardović
PRODUCED BY: Matej Merlić
CO-PRODUCERS: Emilie Dubois, Olivier Berlemont
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY: Ante Cvitanović
EDITOR: Lea Mileta
SOUND DESIGNER: Tihomir Vrbanec
game talk show
2004-2015
ABOUT
Best Show Award at Rose d'Or 2007
Castor multimedia for Croatian Radiolelevision (HRT)
”The Pyramid” is an interactive game talk show with a competitive structure and rules that provide the participants with equal opportunities of vying for viewer votes through being original, concise and interesting in their treatment of topics.
There are three participants in an individual show, all three public figures, and while time is strictly measured they talk about five topics from the past week selected by the editors. The events are not limited to any one field, but are selected according to the main criterion of their interesting and intriguing nature. During the show, viewers vote for their favourite and their votes decide the winner who moves to the next level of the Pyramid, namely the next round of shows that bring together winners from other Pyramid shows from the same level.
In 2007 The Pyramid won The Best Show Award at Rose d'Or. The show was aired live on Croatian National Television from 2004 till 2015 and was sold to 8 countries including Canada.
CREW
CREATED BY: Dubravko Merlić
COUNTRIES: Croatia, Canada, Serbia, Bulgaria, Slovenia, Montenegro, Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina
short film
2020
ABOUT
Shown at Karlovy Vary International Film Festival
Produced by Streetlight Raven (IS), Castor Multimedia (HR)
Supported by The Spike Lee Production Fund
Aged farmer Gunnar and his visiting granddaughter Anna struggle with communication as their dog faces a terminal illness. Over a summer weekend, secrets unfold and the family must duel mortality.
CREW
FEATURING: Theodór Júlíusson, Lára Jóhanna Jónsdóttir, Ahd Tamimi
WRITTEND AND DIRECTED BY: Ninna Pálmadóttir
PRODUCED BY: Shao Min Chew Chia,
Oddur Elíasson, Ninna Pálmadóttir
CO-PRODUCER: Matej Merlić
EDITOR: Ivor Šonje
SOUND DESIGNER: Tihomir Vrbanec
TWO TO ONE AWAY MATCH DVA JEDAN U GOSTIMA
talk show
2016-2017
ABOUT
Castor multimedia for Croatian Radiotelevision (HRT)
Visiting twenty of Croatia’s top athletes in their home environments, Željka Ogresta travels through Croatia to reveal the athletes’ relaxed, off-duty sides. The series showcases the personal lives of the country’s sports stars, including Marin Čilić, Ivica Kostelić, Sandra Perković, and Marin and Valent Sinković.
CREW
CREATED BY: Željka Ogresta-Merlić and Dubravko Merlić
DIRECTOR: Lovro Mrđen
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY: Ante Cvitanović
EDITORS: Ivor Šonje, Urša Vlahušić
EARLY SPRING RANO PROLJEĆE
short film
in development
ABOUT
Produced by Castor Multimedia
Supported by Croatian Audiovisual Centre (HAVC),
City of Zagreb
After losing her child and husband, a woman moves in with her father and starts giving away items from her former home. When a family interested in buying the house visits, their presence becomes too much to bear. ‘Early Spring’ explores profound loneliness and the struggle to move forward.
CREW
FEATURING: Areta Ćurković, Ivica Lučić, Antonio Jakupčević, Matea Bublić, Rita Čabraja, Miroslav Čabraja
WRITTEN AND DIRECTED BY: Zvonimir Jurić
PRODUCED BY: Matej Merlić
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY: Ante Cvitanović
EDITOR: Dora Slakoper
SOUND DESIGNER: Borna Buljević
STAGE LIGHTS SVJETLA POZORNICE
documentary series
2025
ABOUT
Castor Multimedia for Croatian Radiotelevision (HRT)
Supported by Croatian Audiovisual Centre (HAVC)
“Stage Lights” is a seven-episode documentary series chronicling the evolution of Croatian popular culture from 1950 to the present day. Each episode combines documentary footage, archival materials, and vibrant TV studio performances with interviews, offering an engaging portrayal of Croatia’s cultural history.
“Stage Lights” is a sister project to the acclaimed series
“Modern Times,” created by the same authors.
CREW
CREATED BY: Matej Merlić, Dubravko Merlić
DIRECTED BY: Lana Kosovac, Dalija Dozet
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY: Marinko Marinkić
EDITORS: Denis Golenja, Lucija Strugar
SO, WHERE IS NATAŠA? A GDJE JE NATAŠA?
short film
2024
ABOUT
Produced by Castor Multimedia
Supported by Croatian Audiovisual Centre (HAVC),
City of Rijeka
After many years, former best friends Sanja and Nataša reunite in their home village. When Sanja discovers a shocking truth about Nataša, she faces a dilemma: should she stay with Nataša or leave her once again?
CREW
FEATURING: Sanja Milardović, Nataša Kopeč
WRITTEN AND DIRECTED BY: Sanja Milardović
PRODUCED BY: Matej Merlić
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY: Ante Cvitanović
EDITOR: Ivor Šonje
SOUND DESIGNER: Tihomir Vrbanec, Nina Džidić Uzelac
THE LINE OF LIFE LINIJA ŽIVOTA
documentary
2023
ABOUT
Produced by Castor Multimedia for Jadrolinija
'The Line of Life' explores the lives of Croatian islanders and workers of ‘Jadrolinija’, the country’s largest shipping company. Essential for island life, Jadrolinija is often seen as the lifeline of the islands. The film delves into themes of togetherness, revealing the deep connection between the islanders and Jadrolinija.
CREW
PRODUCED BY: Matej Merlić, Dubravko Merlić
DIRECTOR: Lana Kosovac
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY: Ante Cvitanović
EDITOR: Dora Slakoper
SUNNY SIDE OF THE FUTURE
SUNČANA STRANA BUDUĆNOSTI
documentary
2023
ABOUT
Castor Multimedia for North-West Croatia Regional Energy
and Climate Agency (REGEA)
“Sunny Side of the Future” is a documentary exploring energy in Croatia through the North-West Croatia Regional Energy and Climate Agency. The film emphasizes that energy should be a human right and underscores that change is achievable through energy independence.
CREW
PRODUCED BY: Dubravko Merlić
DIRECTOR: Igor Husak
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY: Ante Cvitanović
EDITOR: Ivana Perčinlić
FIELDS OF STEEL ČELIČNA POLJA
short documentary
in development
ABOUT
Produced by Castor Multimedia
Supported by Croatian Audiovisual Centre (HAVC)
Since the middle of the 19th century, the Uljanik shipyard has been the center of life in the Croatian city of Pula. Now, after more than 160 years, the shipyard from which hundreds of ships have set sail is sinking towards the bottom.
CREW
DIRECTED BY: Matej Merlić
PRODUCED BY: Matej Merlić, Matea Milić
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY: Ante Cvitanović
EDITOR: Ivor Šonje
SOUND DESIGNER: Ivan Zelić
MORE PROJECTS
SHADOWS IN THE DARK SJENE U MRAKU
drama series
in development
Development supported by Croatian Audiovisual Centre (HAVC)
CREATED BY: Dubravko Merlić
A ritual killer makes a puzzle by collecting the murders of powerful attorneys' family. A troubled investigator, alongside with his team, finds himself uncovering the killer and his motive as they all travel into the depths of attorneys' dark secrets hidden in his past.
comedy show
2009
Castor Multimedia for RTL Croatia
Developed from the original German TV comedy “Schillerstrasse”
A comedy show combining television and theatrical elements, its standout feature is the complete absence of a script. At the start of each episode, actors receive a brief description of the upcoming scenario and then improvise the plot. Guided by a game master/dramatist through earpieces, they navigate the unfolding story. The show is recorded live, with the audience able to see the actors’ instructions on a large screen above the stage.
“Citizen Toš” was a unique late-night talk show hosted by Slovenian actor and stand-up comedian Tadej Toš. Alongside the usual late-night elements such as stand-up, guests, a house band, and a musical guest, Tadej Toš hosted in character as a typical Slovenian citizen, infusing the show with satire.
STATE OF THE NATION STANJE NACIJE
current affairs
2008-2010
Original format produced by Castor Multimedia for B92 (Serbia)
CREATED BY: Dubravko Merlić
“State of the Nation” is an interactive 30-minute daily live show, focusing on a single intriguing topic of the day. At the end of each episode, a professional, credible and independent agency specializing in public opinion research conducts a survey on the discussed issue. Viewers are invited to guess the exact outcome of the poll to one decimal place, with the closest guess winning a cash prize. Besides delivering relevant public opinion surveys on socially significant topics, the show offers viewers the chance to compare their opinions with those of the nation.
travel game show
in development
AWARDS:
- TV Writing Contest winner (Unscripted category)
on New European Market 2019
- Best Pitch Award at Croatian National Television’s international game show contest 2008
CREATED BY: Dubravko Merlić, Željka Ogresta-Merlić, Matej Merlić
Travel Bug is a live, in-studio interactive travel game show where two teams compete to prove their knowledge of world cities. Each episode takes contestants and the audience on a virtual trip to a different city. To claim victory, teams must answer 20 video questions featuring footage filmed at various locations within the virtual destination. Viewers at home also have the chance to compete for a cash prize. If both teams fail to complete the task, viewers can win the prize by participating via smartphone or web camera.
